September 3, 2010

Notes from TNT’s Final Round Coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits in

Kohler, Wis. – Final Round – Sunday, August 15, 2010

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Billy Kratzert and Jim Huber

Baker-Finch on Tom Lehman using a wedge to putt a shot close to the hole from the fringe: “well done, if you try and chip those you can look like an idiot very easily.”

Johnson on the virtual map showing Wisconsin and zooming in on Whistling Straits: “There’s Milwaukee. I was born there Kratz (Kratzert), I wonder if they could zoom in to North 68th Street.”

Kratzert on the play of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson: “Every round he’s (Mickelson) struggling to make par. He is working too hard…I watch Tiger and I watch Phil, these guys are struggling. This is as soft as this golf course is going to play and the guys who are playing well are taking advantage of it. The #1 and #2 players in the world, they’re just not playing well.”

Kratzert on Woods’ poor play this year: “This year we’ve been robbed of the ‘Tiger Moments’, frankly because he hasn’t played well and there haven’t been many.”

Baker-Finch on the leaderboard featuring a slew of golfers in their 20’s:  “We’re seeing a little bit of the changing of the guard, with the young guys coming… It’s the guys on that leaderboard that we’ll be seeing for the next 10 years. Previously we’ve seen (Retief) Goosen, (Jim) Furyk, Tiger (Woods), (Phil) Mickelson and (Ernie) Els.”

Baker-Finch on Tiger Woods terrific iron play: “Best iron player in the game; works the ball better than anyone else….and he hits his nine iron while others are hitting five irons and four irons.”

Kratzert on Woods second shot from the bunker on hole #5, which he successfully hit 5 Wood on in Round 3: “If he takes the 5 Wood out here and gets it anywhere near the green I’m walking out of here and walking all the way out there and shaking his hand.”

Johnson sarcastically: “That’ll make his day.”

Johnson following errant shots by Tim Clark and Tiger Woods into/near the grandstands at #6: “They are putting on a clinic on how not to play the sixth hold…bouncing around like a pinball at #6.”

Baker-Finch on the wind conditions being a reason for the leaders to watch the early round TV coverage: “If I was getting ready to play this afternoon I’d be watching this show just to get as much as I could from the early starters.”

Kratzert after a fan yelled ‘Mashed Potatoes’ during Woods’ tee shot on the 9th: “What does that mean?”

Johnson: “I know what it should mean, ‘thanks for coming, see you later, here’s the gate.’”

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For Third Consecutive Day PGA.com Sets Video Streaming Record

For the third consecutive day PGA.com set a video streaming record delivering 3.6 million streams (live + on-demand) for Saturday’s coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship from Whistling Straits from Kohler, Wisconsin. The video streams featured shot by shot coverage of marquee groups as they concluded their fog-delayed Second Round, as well as their third round of play. The new record is a 74% increase over Friday’s record 2.1 million streams (live + on-demand) and a 763% increase over last year’s Saturday PGA Championship video traffic.  Overall, PGA.com has delivered 7.1 million video streams (live + on-demand) over the first three days of the tournament, a 155% increase over last year’s first three rounds. The site also delivered 1.5 million unique users on Saturday, a 48% increase over the previous year.

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits in

Kohler, Wis. – Round Two – Friday, August 13, 2010

TNT’s Round Three coverage of the PGA Championship continues Saturday., Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET.

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Bill Kratzert and Jim Huber joined by Bill Macatee, Peter Kostis, Verne Lundquist, David Feherty, Peter Oosterhuis and Gary McCord

Baker-Finch on Matt Kuchar being an early leader in the tournament: “(Kuchar) is playing really nicely and smoothly.  He’s played well all season and he’s seventh on the Ryder Cup list.  He’s in the top ten in the FedEx Cup rankings and he’s jumping up in the world rankings as well.  He was a winner at the end of last season.  I really like what I’m seeing with Matt Kuchar.  He’s been working on a swing change and he’s really nestled in and feels comfortable with it.  I’m not surprised to see him (leading) and I expect to see him there on Sunday afternoon as well.”

Kostis on Ernie Els: “Tee to green, (Els) is impeccable right now.  He is operating on all eight cylinders.”

Kostis on the damp playing conditions during the second round: “Clearly evident are the soft conditions of the greens.  Players are able to take dead aim at very difficult hole locations and rely on the ball hitting, sitting and staying in place.  It looks like a links (course), smells like a links but it doesn’t play like a links.  If this golf course got fiery and fast and you had to bounce the ball around…boy, would it be fun.”

Feherty on the difficulty of the final two holes at Whistling Straits: “The finish of this golf course (holes 17 and 18)…what a vision of loveliness and brutality at the same time.”

Baker-Finch on Bryce Molder: “I love the way (Molder) holds the finish (of his swing).  He’s been playing well this season.  He’s been putting beautifully and he really holds the back of the left hand to the target on the way through.”

Baker-Finch on the ups-and-downs of playing at Whistling Straits: “This golf course can giveth and it can also taketh away.  You’ve got a little stretch in the middle of the round where you can make some birdies and there are some down-wind holes.  But then you’ve got that brute of a finish coming up at the end and pars are hard to make.”

Baker-Finch on the composure of Seung Yul Noh: “Notice (Noh’s) demeanor, it hasn’t changed at all.  Birdie or bogey…it stays the same.”

Feherty on if the course is playing differently in the second round compared to the first round: “I think (the course) is a good deal softer and we’re seeing maybe a little more wind than (in the first round).  It’s exacting its revenge in places.  It’s showing its link-side and there are places where you can’t hit it.”

Kratzert on Ernie Els’ putting during the second round: “(Els) has left some out here.”

Baker-Finch: “He hasn’t putted the same today, has he?”

Kratzert: “He’s kind of struggled (today) and you can see the frustration.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Matt Kuchar after finishing his second round at the top of the leaderboard.

Kuchar on finishing his round at the top of the leaderboard with -8: “I’m excited to be in this seat. I haven’t been in this situation, but I feel that my game has been really good this year and got me ready to be at this point. Hopefully, it will be a good weekend for me.”

Kuchar on the prospect of being paired with former Georgia Tech teammate Bryce Molder: “That will be exciting, I’m hoping it continues to work out that way. Bryce (Molder) is a great player, We played a couple of practice rounds this week so it would be a lot of fun if we could play together.”

Baker-Finch on how the remaining golfers should handle the challenging weather conditions: “You don’t wan to shoot yourself in the foot in these difficult conditions. If it does stay like this for the next two or two and a half hours, just take it steady, try and make a birdie on the fifth and sixth (holes) when you get an opportunity, but keep the double bogies off the card. Just keep it out of that long fescue and come back tomorrow and hopefully the conditions will be a little calmer.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Phil Mickelson after finishing his second round at -2.

Mickelson on his second round effort: “I fought hard today. I’m obviously not where I want to be, I want to be up on the leaderboard with all the other guys, but I’m within striking distance. I played a good back nine there to shoot three under for the day and get back in.”

Mickelson on the difficulty of the course and how you need to play it: “It is very penalizing, I missed a number of birdies the first two days. You can’t play for birdies, you can’t get up in the lead unless you get the ball in the fairway. But once you get in the fairway though, you can attack. The greens are soft, they hold shots. Once you’re on the greens you can make some putts.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Nick Watney after finishing his second round at -7, second on the leaderboard.

Watney on having to play his final six first round holes in addition to the entire second round on Friday: “It wasn’t too bad physically, but we always joke that if we’re playing well we wish we could just keep on going. Luckily today I was playing pretty well and I was able to keep going and it just worked out.”

Watney on the importance of his short game: “I played well, I made a lot of key saves which kept my momentum. This is obviously a very difficult golf course and a short game will save you. That’s what I’ll take away most from the day and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Feherty on Camilo Villegas’ physique: “(Villegas) is the best athlete on the (PGA) TOUR without question. He’s becoming an incredibly keen cyclist. That’s what he needs, less body fat.”

Nance: “Not a whole lot there, is there?”

Feherty: “Just muscle, sinew, fiber and heart.”

Baker-Finch: “What would he be? Six, seven percent body fat?”

Feherty: “Not even, no. Unfortunately, I’ve had to do commercials with him where I’ve seen him partially clothed. It’s very depressing for any man.”

Baker-Finch on the short game of Tiger Woods: “We have seen a short game clinic over the last five holes. (Woods) doesn’t need a coach there, that’s just hard work.”

Feherty on Rickie Fowler’s long hair: “All of these guys will be glad to get out of this wind. Rickie, I think, would probably take a severe beating from his hair if he had to play all 18 of this round.”

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Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits in

Kohler, Wis. – Round Two/Three – Saturday, August 14, 2010

TNT’s Round Three /Final Round coverage of the PGA Championship concludes on Sunday, Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET.

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Billy Kratzert and Jim Huber

Johnson on former PGA Champion Steve Elkington standing at -3 through the second round: “Wow, getting in the ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’. How about Elk heading into the weekend?”

Kratzert on the low scores through the first two rounds at Whistling Straits: “This is the second time they’ve seen it (the course). They are not intimidated as they were in 2004. That’s why we are seeing the guys shoot the scores they’re shooting.”

Kratzert on Vijay Singh: “This has been a very good putting round by Vijay with the putter, he did not miss anything. You can just feel the confidence growing with Vijay with the putter.”

Baker-Finch on Sergio Garcia possibly joining the European Ryder Cup team: “There is no use in including him if Sergio himself is saying ‘I need to shut it down.’ If he’s playing well he’s the first guy on the plane. If he’s not playing well he needs to shut it down and get his confidence back.”

Baker-Finch on Tiger Woods’ aggressive shot from the sand on the 18th: “I don’t understand this, I really don’t. Why wouldn’t Tiger just take his wedge shot?”

Johnson after Woods hit it on the green: “I guess that’s why.”

Jim Huber interviewed Tiger Woods, who stands at -3 after two rounds.

Woods on his performance through two rounds: “I didn’t really have much today or yesterday. I was happy to get the score I did…I’m in good shape, I’m right there in the ballgame (for the tournament).”

Johnson on the 93rd PGA Championship taking place at Atlanta Athletic Club in John’s Creek: “No per diem for me, just a half hour from my house.”

Kratzert on the long hitters having an advantage to win: “I think that’s going to be the story as the longer players will go ahead and seal the deal.”

Kratzert after a visual of Ernie Els way in the distance in the player’s parking lot: “I’m not feeling bad about the parking spot, he’s got the Mercedes.”

Johnson on France’s Gregory Bourdy: “This putt for Birdie, from Bourdy, from Bordeaux (France).”

Baker-Finch: “You’re killing me.”

Johnson: “Facts are facts.”

Baker-Finch on winning Major Championships: “You need to contend in majors before you have a chance to win them.”

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TNT and PGA.com Tee Off First Round Coverage of the PGA Championship with Double-Digit Growth in Ratings and Online Traffic

TNT and PGA.com Tee Off First Round Coverage of the PGA Championship with Double-Digit Growth in Ratings and Online Traffic

Site Sets Single-Day Unique Users and Video Records

Turner Sports, which aired exclusive opening round coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin on TNT, and complementary coverage featuring marquee group pairings on PGA.com, delivered a strong start on both platforms for Round #1 of the season’s final major golf championship. According to Nielsen Fast Nationals, TNT averaged a 1.1 U.S. household rating, up 22% from 2009. In addition, PGA.com’s extensive online coverage set a single-day site record with 1.73 million unique users. PGA.com also delivered a new single day site record for total video streams with 1.4 million (live + on-demand) streams, a 30% increase from the first round of the 2009 PGA Championship.

  • According to Nielsen Fast Nationals, TNT saw a 22% increase for its opening round coverage (1 – 9 pm ET), delivering a 1.1 US HH rating (0.9 in 2009).
  • In addition, TNT had a 22% increase for both total viewers (1,450,000 versus 1,187,000 in 2009) and households (1,222,000 versus 997,000 in 2009)
  • PGA.com saw a 30% increase in video streams over last year (1.4 million, 2010; 1.1 million, 2009).
  • PGA.com also saw a 22% increase in unique users for its opening round coverage (1.73 million, 2010; 1.4 million 2009).

TNT’s coverage continues on Friday (1 – 9 p.m. ET), Saturday (11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET) and Sunday (11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET) with Ernie Johnson hosting alongside analysts Ian Baker-Finch and Billy Kratzert, with Jim Huber (essayist/interviewer) on the course.  PGA.com will continue its live streaming coverage today and it will feature two marquee groups to be determined during the final two rounds following the completion of Round Two. In addition, PGA.com will also provide up-close footage of golfers’ play on challenging Par 3’s on holes #3, 7, 12 and 17.  PGA.com announcers will include play-by-play announcer Marc Fein, analysts Rich Beem (during rounds three and four) and Michael Breed and reporters Brian Katrek and Craig Sager.

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TNT source: Nielsen Media Research / Star Trak.  Actuals based upon Live + Same Day data stream (2010 Nielsen Fast Nationals) for Opening Round dates of the 2010 vs. 2009 PGA Championship (08-12-10 vs.08-13-09).

TNT’s Exclusive Coverage of the Second Round of the 92nd PGA Championship Extended One Hour

Due to the fog delay earlier today, TNT’s exclusive coverage of the second round of the 92nd PGA Championship will extend one hour to 9 p.m. (ET).

The network’s coverage of the PGA Championship will continue on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (ET).

TNT’s announcing team will feature two-time Emmy® award-winning host Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) who will joined by Ian Baker-Finch (analyst), Billy Kratzert (analyst) and Jim Huber (interviewer/essayist) in calling the Championship.  This is the 20th consecutive year, and 12th straight on TNT, that Turner Sports will air the event.

As previously announced, Turner Sports and The PGA of America will offer coverage of the PGA Championship in 3D on Friday, Aug. 13, on PGA.com and through TNT’s television distributors Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications, DIRECTV and Time Warner Cable. The 3D coverage will focus on the par-3 12th and 17th holes at Whistling Straits from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (ET). Host Vince Cellini will be joined by 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem to provide commentary and analysis on the holes.

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PGA.com source: Omniture

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship – Round One – Thursday, August 12, 2010

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Whistling Straits in

Kohler, Wis. – Round One – Thursday, August 12, 2010

TNT’s Round Two coverage of the PGA Championship continues Fri., August 13 from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. ET.

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Bill Kratzert and Jim Huber joined by Bill Macatee, Peter Kostis, Verne Lundquist, David Feherty, Peter Oosterhuis and Gary McCord

Baker-Finch on the changing of the guard between the established golfers and the young, up and coming golfers: “One of the big themes this week and one of the themes throughout the season this year has been the twenty-somethings.  The guys in their early twenties, like the Australian Michael Sim, they are challenging this guy here (Tiger Woods). We’re really seeing a changing of the guard, we’re seeing Phil (Mickelson) not playing well, not in good health, Lee Westwood is in poor health, had to withdraw last week and again this week, and then these twenty-somethings with this aggressive style of play.”

Baker-Finch on Whistling Straits: “Yes, this is the PGA Championship, not the Open Championship. You see these beautiful vistas across Lake Michigan. It really is a wonderful, wonderful venue. I think the best.”

Baker-Finch on who to watch for to win the 2010 PGA Championship: “It’s hard to pick (the potential winner). There are a few different storylines. Everyone has written off Phil Mickelson, he’s not been feeling well, didn’t play well last week, but he’s No. 2 in the world. Tiger, who is No. 1 in the world, has been playing poorly, people wondered if he’d even make the cut, though he’s turned that around with a birdie, birdie start. To me, the theme this week is the young guys. There are so many guys out there in their early twenties like Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland who loves links golf and grew up on a course similar to this, a very intimidating course. The other young guys, like Ryo Ishikawa from Japan, Hunter Mahan who won last week, so many under the age of 25.  Then also you’ve got those guys like a Bo Van Pelt, guys who are looking to make their way on the Ryder Cup team. Nick Whatney, guys who are playing extremely well and are trying to get on Captain Corey Pavin’s Ryder Cup team in a few weeks. There’s a lot of different things we’re going to see in the next four days, a lot of different guys with an opportunity to win.”

Baker-Finch on whether he would pick Tiger Woods for the U.S. Ryder Cup team: “If I were the Captain I would certainly pick Tiger as well. It’s pretty hard to leave him off the team, but it has to be respectful to the rest of the players who have a chance.”

Macatee on what will happen if Tiger Woods is left off of the U.S. Ryder Cup team: “If you’re (U.S. Ryder Cup captain) Corey Pavin, and you don’t pick the number one player in the world, and you don’t win the Ryder Cup, you’re opening yourself to an awful lot of criticism regardless of how he’s playing.”

Kostis: “Forget about that though, he doesn’t have to pick until September 7. That’s the whole point. If (Pavin) had to pick last Sunday night after (Woods’) performance at Firestone, he doesn’t get picked, that was an awful performance by Tiger. After what he does this week, he may even qualify for the team and it will be a moot point. You don’t have to answer those hypothetical questions right now, just wait until September 7 and it will all work itself out.”

Kostis on Tiger Woods’ strong early first round performance: “Perhaps we’re seeing the beginning of all of the chaos of golf being eliminated; an order being restored if Tiger can keep up his form.”

Kostis on playing too aggressively at Whistling Straits: “Well that’s the cardinal sin on this golf course. You have to take your medicine, you try to get too aggressive with some of these and you just pay a deeper price.”

Lundquist on France’s Gregory Bourdy: “This is too obvious, but it’s (Gregory) Bourdy from Bordeaux.”

Feherty: “Well, he would know his way around the wine cellar.”

Baker-Finch on course designer Pete Dye creating difficult sightlines on the course: “That’s Pete Dye, that’s what he tries to be, visually intimidating. He doesn’t want the players to see all the fare way, he wants to mess with their minds. This is Pete Dye’s best, that’s for sure.”

Feherty on Marc Leishman’s second shot on hole #13: “Would you like French fries or a baked potato with that? Did you see the size of that divot? Nice shot, but a huge clump of Wisconsin came out with that.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Bubba Watson (-4) following his first round

Watson on if Whistling Straits is an overpowering golf course: “No, I putted really well today and my focus was there.  I stayed with every shot and took my medicine when I had to.  I missed a couple of tee shots but the golf course is not easy.  I just made some putts.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Tiger Woods (-1) following his first round

Woods on his play in the first round: “I got off to a good start today which was nice and I’m just trying to grind my way along.  I dropped a few shots, but overall I posted under par.”

Woods on if his work leading up to the PGA Championship paid off after the first round: “I thought I hit the ball pretty good.  It felt like I had control of the ball most of the day, especially with my trajectory which was nice.  I haven’t had that in a while so it felt good to have that.”

Woods on what he needs to improve with his game: “I just need to continue to improve every day.  I need to be a little bit more solidified and today I felt like I had good speed on the greens.  If anything, I was leaving putts a little bit short.  They were a little bit slower than what I was seeing.  I just have to make that adjustment.”

McCord on Seung-yul Noh: “This guy can really hit.  He has a beautiful golf swing and he hits it a mile, way up in the air.  He looks really good to me.”

Feherty on Tiger Woods: “When you think of last week (at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) when (Woods) played like a 12-handicap, he manages to raise his game for the major championships.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Charles Howell III (-4) following his first round

Howell on playing Whistling Straits: “I played here in 2004 and I like (the course).  It has a links (type course) look to it but it definitely played like an American course today.”

Feherty on players stepping up their games while Tiger Woods has struggled recently: “One thing with Tiger (Woods) not having played well by his own standards for the last year, (it) has given us an idea of just how good the rest of the field is.  Players who have been overshadowed for so long (were able to come to the forefront).  You have to take into consideration just how good Woods is in his ability to have beaten these players for so long.”

Feherty on Nick Watney: “What a great attitude Nick Watney has.  He’s going to be a very good player for a very long time.”

Feherty on his observations of the first round: “It’s been an interesting day with the three hour delay.  They started and then stopped (play).  It was ideal to start, the wind was starting up and the course was starting to dry out.  So the scoring really hasn’t been that good.  A four under par (-4) leads and no one has been able to get to five under (-5).  We’ve got Ernie Els out there in fine form.  We’ve got (Phil) Mickelson just hanging on who’s really made some tremendous ups-and-downs and a bunch of young players who have played very well.”

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The NBA on TNT to Feature Defending NBA Champion Lakers, Along with the Celtics, Heat, Nuggets and Magic for the 2010-11 Season

The NBA on TNT to Feature Defending

NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, Along with the

Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic

for the 2010-11 Season

TNT once again Exclusive home of NBA All-Star 2011

NBA Season Tips off on TNT with Exclusive doubleheader featuring

Heat vs Celtics and Lakers hosting the Rockets

Turner Network Television (TNT) today announced its 2010-11 NBA regular season schedule, which features 10 appearances each by the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics and the new-look Miami Heat, as well as nine by the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic.  The network will air 52 games in primetime, with 44 being part of TNT’s Thursday night exclusive doubleheaders.  This marks Turner Broadcasting’s 27th season of NBA basketball coverage.

In addition to the previously announced doubleheader on opening night and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, TNT’s schedule features a number of marquee match-ups, including:

  • Dec. 2 – Reigning Most Valuable Player LeBron James makes his return to Cleveland when the new look Heat featuring all-stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh take on Antawn Jamison and the Cavaliers (8 p.m. ET).  TNT will preview the night’s action during a special hour-long pre-game show (7 p.m. ET).
  • Jan. 13, 2011 – A star-studded East vs. West doubleheader featuring defending NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder taking on defending NBA Defensive Player of the Year presented by Kia Motors Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic (8 p.m. ET), followed by Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets hosting the Heat (10:30 p.m. ET).
  • Jan. 27Wade, Bosh and James lead the Heat into Madison Square Garden to take on Amar’e Stoudemire and the New York Knicks (8 p.m. ET).  Prior to the game, TNT will have the exclusive announcement of the 2011 NBA All-Star Starters (7 p.m. ET).
  • Feb.  10 – A Finals rematch features Kobe Bryant and the Lakers visiting Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics (8 p.m. ET).
  • Mar. 10 – Superstars and teams collide when the Heat play host to the Lakers (8 p.m. ET).

TNT’s regular season coverage begins Tuesday, Oct. 26, with a special half-hour preview show, NBA Tip-Off ’10 presented by AutoTrader.com at 7 p.m. (ET), followed at 7:30 p.m. (ET) with an exclusive opening night doubleheader.  The first game will feature the defending Eastern Conference Champion Celtics hosting the Heat.  The Lakers will be presented with their championship rings prior to taking on the Houston Rockets at 10:30 p.m. (ET). Opening week continues on TNT on Thursday, Oct. 28, with No. 1 overall draft pick John Wall making his professional debut when his Washington Wizards take on the Magic at 8 p.m. (ET), followed by the Phoenix Suns visiting the Utah Jazz at 10:30 p.m. (ET).

“We look forward to one of the most highly anticipated NBA seasons getting underway on TNT,” said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.  “With marquee matchups, our exclusive Thursday night doubleheaders and in-depth coverage of NBA All-Star 2011 in Los Angeles, we have a great schedule for our fans to enjoy throughout the season.”

TNT will once again serve as the exclusive home for NBA All-Star 2011, airing all the action on NBA All-Star Friday, NBA All-Star Saturday and the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 20, from Los Angeles.  The network will also air 40 or more NBA playoff games including, on an exclusive basis, conference semi-finals and the Eastern Conference Finals.

The NBA on TNT’s marquee roster of NBA announcers include the studio team of two-time Emmy® award-winning host Ernie Johnson, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, two-time NBA Champion Kenny Smith, along with select studio appearances by Kevin McHale and Chris Webber. Five-time NBA Champion Steve Kerr returns to the network as a game analyst for the 2010-11 season.  Other on-site game announcers include Marv Albert (play-by-play), Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst), Mike Fratello (analyst), David Aldridge (reporter), Cheryl Miller (reporter) and Craig Sager (reporter).

TNT tips off its coverage with two NBA preseason contests, including an outdoor game when the Phoenix Suns take on the Dallas Mavericks from Indian Wells, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 p.m. (ET).  The second preseason game will pit the Miami Heat against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. (ET).

TNT is in its 22nd consecutive year of NBA coverage.  Sister network TBS aired the NBA exclusively for Turner Broadcasting System from 1984-89, with TNT serving as Turner’s sole NBA cable home from 1990-94.  Both networks aired NBA games from 1994-2002.  Once again, TNT’s entire NBA preseason, regular and postseason telecasts will air in high definition.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

TNT’s 52-game schedule is listed below.  All times shown are Eastern.

TNT 2010-2011 NBA REGULAR SEASON TELECAST SCHEDULE
Date Day Time Game
Oct. 26 Tuesday 7 p.m. NBA Tip-Off ‘10 presented by Autotrader.com
7:30 p.m. Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics
10:30 p.m. Houston Rockets @ L.A. Lakers – Lakers Ring Ceremony
Oct. 28 Thursday 8 p.m. Washington Wizards @ Orlando Magic
10:30 p.m. Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz
Nov. 4 Thursday 8 p.m. New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls
10:30 p.m. Oklahoma City Thunder @ Portland Trail Blazers
Nov. 11 Thursday 8 p.m. Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat
10:30 p.m. L.A. Lakers @ Denver Nuggets
Nov. 18 Thursday 8 p.m. Phoenix Suns @ Orlando Magic
10:30 p.m. Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers
Nov. 25 Thursday 8 p.m. Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks
10:30 p.m. Sacramento Kings @ L.A. Clippers
Dec. 2 Thursday 8 p.m. Miami Heat @ Cleveland Cavaliers
10:30 p.m. Phoenix Suns @ Golden State Warriors
Dec. 9 Thursday 8 p.m. Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers
10:30 p.m. Orlando Magic @ Portland Trail Blazers
Dec. 16 Thursday 8 p.m. Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics
10:30 p.m. San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets
Dec. 23 Thursday 8 p.m. San Antonio Spurs @ Orlando Magic
10:30 p.m. Miami Heat @ Phoenix Suns
Dec. 30 Thursday 7 p.m. New York Knicks @ Orlando Magic
9:30 p.m. San Antonio Spurs @ Dallas Mavericks
Jan. 6 Thursday 8 p.m. Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks
10:30 p.m. Denver Nuggets @ Sacramento Kings
Jan. 13 Thursday 8 p.m. Orlando Magic @ Oklahoma City Thunder
10:30 p.m. Miami Heat @ Denver Nuggets
Jan. 17 Monday 8 p.m. Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics
10:30 p.m. Oklahoma City Thunder @ L.A. Lakers
Jan. 20 Thursday 8 p.m. Dallas Mavericks @ Chicago Bulls
10:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers @ Portland Trail Blazers
Jan. 27 Thursday 8 p.m. Miami Heat @ New York Knicks
10:30 p.m. Boston Celtics @ Portland Trail Blazers
Feb. 3 Thursday 8 p.m. Miami Heat @ Orlando Magic
10:30 p.m. San Antonio Spurs @ L.A. Lakers
Feb. 10 Monday 8 p.m. L.A. Lakers @ Boston Celtics
10:30 p.m. Dallas Mavericks @ Denver Nuggets
Feb. 17 Thursday 8 p.m. San Antonio Spurs @ Chicago Bulls
10:30 p.m. Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns
*********************************NBA ALL-STAR 2011*************************************************
Feb. 18 Friday NBA Rookie Challenge
Feb. 19 Saturday NBA All-Star Saturday
Feb. 20 Sunday 2011 NBA All-Star Game from Los Angeles
*****************************************************************************************************
Feb. 24 Thursday 8 p.m. Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
10:30 p.m. Boston Celtics @ Denver Nuggets
Mar. 3 Thursday 8 p.m. Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat
10:30 p.m. Denver Nuggets @ Utah Jazz
Mar. 10 Thursday 8 p.m. L.A. Lakers @ Miami Heat
10:30 p.m. Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns
Mar. 22 Thursday 7 p.m. Chicago Bulls @ Atlanta Hawks
9:30 p.m. Phoenix Suns @ L.A. Lakers
Mar. 31 Thursday 8 p.m. Boston Celtics @ San Antonio Spurs
10:30 p.m. Dallas Mavericks @ L.A. Lakers
Apr. 7 Thursday 8 p.m. Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls
10:30 p.m. Portland Trail Blazers @ Utah Jazz
Apr. 12 Thursday 8 p.m. Chicago Bulls @ New York Knicks
10:30 p.m. San Antonio Spurs @ L.A. Lakers

TEAM APPEARANCES

Boston 10 Oklahoma City 4
Miami 10 Atlanta 3
Denver 9 Utah 3
L.A. Lakers 9 L.A. Clippers 2
Orlando 9 Sacramento 2
Chicago 7 Washington 2
Phoenix 7 Cleveland 1
San Antonio 7 Golden State 1
Dallas 6 Houston 1
Portland 6 Philadelphia 1
New York 4

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Turner Sports Tees Up Multiplatform Coverage of 92nd PGA Championship

Turner Sports Tees Up Multiplatform Coverage of 92nd PGA Championship from

Aug. 12-15

Extensive Television, Online and Mobile Coverage Provides Fans All-Access Pass to Year’s Final Major

Turner Sports will provide extensive multiplatform coverage for all four rounds of the 92nd PGA Championship, live from Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis. from Aug. 12-15, with television, online and mobile access to the year’s final major championship. TNT will televise 20 hours of exclusive television coverage, the most the network has ever aired for the event, including seven hours each for rounds one and two (1 – 8 p.m. ET), along with early coverage of the third and final rounds (11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET). TNT’s announcing team will feature two-time Emmy® award-winning host Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) who will joined by Ian Baker-Finch (analyst), Billy Kratzert (analyst) and Jim Huber (interviewer/essayist) in calling the Championship.  This is the 20th consecutive year, and 12th straight on TNT, that Turner Sports will air the event.

Advertising sponsors for this year’s coverage include ING, Mercedes-Benz, Northwestern Mutual, RBC and Viagra.  Mercedes-Benz and RBC both will expand on-air brand awareness with an extensive presence on PGA.com, the official site of The PGA of America, joining other online sponsors, American Airlines and Westin® Hotels & Resorts, throughout the championship coverage.

PGA Championship LIVE will once again return to the newly-redesigned PGA.com with extensive bonus coverage of the major championship from the course via three broadband channels.  For the first two rounds, PGA.com will follow the threesome of Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and defending champion of the 2009 PGA Championship Y.E. Yang (Tee times: R1, 9:20 a.m. ET/R2 2:35 p.m. ET) and the group of 2010 major champions Phil Mickelson (Masters), Graeme McDowell (U.S. Open) and Louis Oosthuizen (Open Championship) (Tee times: R1, 2:35 p.m. ET, R2, 9:20 a.m. ET).  PGA.com will also feature two marquee groups during the final two rounds. 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem will provide commentary and analysis throughout the weekend during PGA.com’s live coverage.  This year’s field includes a record 73 international players, among 99 of the top 100 players in the latest Official World Golf Rankings and 28 major champions competing.

In addition, PGA.com’s award-winning mobile coverage will return with the PGA Championship App to provide live coverage to fans. This year’s PGA Championship App, available in the App Store, will provide live scoring and instant updates to golf fans at no charge during the 2010 PGA Championship from Aug. 12-15.  The PGA Championship app also offers in-app purchase for $1.99 where users can upgrade to exclusive access of live video for the marquee groups on all four days of play including live video streaming of the par-3 holes at Whistling Straits. The PGA Championship App utilizes advanced push notifications to help fans keep track of their favorite players without having the app open and different push notifications utilize specific sounds, which highlight the nature of the alert. The PGA Championship App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, and iPod touch or from http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pga-championship/id325462190?mt=8 .

As previously announced, Turner Sports and The PGA of America will offer coverage of the PGA Championship in 3D on Thursday, Aug. 12 and Friday, Aug. 13, on PGA.com and through TNT’s television distributors Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications, DIRECTV and Time Warner Cable. The 3D coverage will focus on the par-3 12th and 17th holes at Whistling Straits from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (ET) each day. Host Vince Cellini will be joined by Beem to provide commentary and analysis on the holes.

“The PGA Championship is a marquee event both for the sport of golf and for Turner Sports and each year we strive to offer the most comprehensive, multiplatform coverage to fans, allowing them to follow the event on television, online or through mobile devices,” said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.  “With the addition of 3D coverage added to the already robust, interactive offerings, we are thrilled to once again serve as trail blazers in our live event coverage.”

In its fifth consecutive year of providing live video coverage, PGA.com will host three channels of PGA Championship content on an HD quality video player that features picture-in-picture for fans to watch multiple streams at once. The PGA Championship LIVE streams will include:

  • Marquee Groups During all four rounds PGA.com will follow select groups during their rounds. PGA.com announcers will include Marc Fein (play-by-play), Michael Breed (analyst) and Brian Katrek and Craig Sager (reporters).
  • Par 3 Watch the world’s best golfers play the challenging Par 3’s as PGA.com isolates holes 3, 7, 12 and 17 throughout the tournament.
  • Strait Advice PGA Professional Michael Breed will be joined by Jim Richerson, PGA, General Manager & Group Director of Golf for Kohler Co. to give hole-by-hole analysis of how players must play the course in order to win the Wanamaker Trophy.

The PGA Championship LIVE experience will also feature integrated content such as live reports and insights from PGA Professionals who will provide Twitter updates as they follow the action on the course, the ability to connect with friends on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace while watching the live footage online and a leaderboard and player scorecards which can be added to the video player page to follow all the action at once.

92nd PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: TNT AND PGA.COM SCHEDULE

TNT SCHEDULE
Show Title Thursday (8/12) Friday (8/13) Saturday (8/14) Sunday (8/15)
PGA Championship on TNT 1-8 p.m. (ET) 1-8 p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-2p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-2 p.m. (ET)
PGA.COM SCHEDULE
Show Title Thursday (8/12) Friday (8/13) Saturday (8/14) Sunday (8/15)
Marquee Groups 9a.m.-8p.m. (ET) 9a.m.-8p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-7p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-7p.m. (ET)
Par 3′s 1-8p.m. (ET) 1-8p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-7p.m. (ET) 11a.m.-7p.m. (ET)
TNT & PGA.COM 3D SCHEDULE
Show Title Thursday (8/12) Friday (8/13) Saturday (8/14) Sunday (8/15)
3D Coverage 3-7p.m. (ET) 3-7p.m. (ET) N/A N/A

TNT’s 2009 PGA Championship coverage earned significant television ratings increases on each of its four days of coverage, averaging a 1.4 US HH rating, a 75% increase over 2008. In addition, the event led PGA.com to its highest four-days in-site history for its traffic, page views and video streams, marking the most successful four days in PGA.com’s four-year history of providing live video streaming for the PGA Championship.   The site saw 1.4 million average daily uniques, a 94% increase from 2008, and 206 million total page views, a 68% increase from 2008. In addition, Turner Sports’ 2009 online golf portfolio, which included PGA.com and Yahoo!, delivered a total of 3.4 million video streams, including a record 2.4 million live player streams, a 204% increase from 2008.  Turner Sports was nominated for an Emmy® Award for its 2009 PGA Championship multiplatform coverage.

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama.  Available in 99.6 million households, the network is home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Men of a Certain Age, with Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula; HawthoRNe, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Dark Blue, starring Dylan McDermott; the upcoming Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Memphis Beat, with Jason Lee; Southland, from Emmy®-winning producer John Wells (ER); and Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter.  TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, CSI: NY and Numb3rs; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  The NCAA men’s basketball tournament will appear on TNT beginning in 2011.  TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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TNT, NBA TV Unveil Opening Week, MLK Day Schedules

TNT, NBA TV Unveil Opening Week, MLK Day Schedules;

TNT’s Opening Night to Feature New-Look Miami Heat vs.

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets @ L.A. Lakers

NBA TV to Air Three Consecutive Nights of Games to Tip Off Coverage

TNT will tip off one of the most highly anticipated NBA seasons as part of NBA on TNT Premiere Week Presented by AutoTrader.com on Tuesday, Oct. 26, with the debut of Miami’s triumvirate of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh as the Heat visits the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics and their All-Star trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo (7:30 p.m. ET).  The second game of TNT’s exclusive doubleheader will feature the two-time defending champion L.A. Lakers and Finals MVP Kobe Bryant (10:30 p.m. ET) hosting returning seven-time NBA All-Star center Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets. TNT will televise the Lakers’ ring ceremony prior to tip off.  TNT and NBA TV announced their exclusive opening week match-ups and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day games during NBA TV’s NBA Schedule Selection Special this evening.

NBA on TNT Premiere Week Presented by AutoTrader.com continues on TNT with another doubleheader on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m. (ET), beginning with two-time defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard and perennial Eastern Conference power Orlando Magic hosting the Washington Wizards in the debut of John Wall, the league’s number one overall draft pick in 2010.  The game will be the first to be played in the new Amway Center in Orlando. The second game of the doubleheader will highlight a battle of two of the league’s best point guards as Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz host Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 p.m. (ET).  

NBA TV will take the court for the 2010-11 season with four consecutive nights of exciting match-ups, beginning Saturday, Oct. 30, with All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups leading the Denver Nuggets against the Rockets (8:30 p.m. ET). The network’s coverage will continue on Sunday, Oct. 31, with the Jazz visiting NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder (7 p.m. ET). On Monday, Nov. 1, Derrick Rose, recently acquired Carlos Boozer and the Chicago Bulls host Brandon Roy and the Portland Trail Blazers (8 p.m. ET). NBA TV’s Fan Night voting will begin on Oct. 26 to select the first Fan Night match-up of the season to air on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

TNT also announced the lineup for the network’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day coverage on Monday, Jan. 17, featuring two rematches from the 2010 NBA Playoffs. The doubleheader tips off with an Eastern Conference Finals rematch featuring the Magic at Celtics at 8 p.m. (ET), followed by a Western Conference first round rematch between the Thunder and Lakers in Los Angeles at 10:30 p.m. (ET). In addition, NBA TV will celebrate MLK Day when it presents the Sacramento Kings led by 2009-10 NBA Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans against Atlanta Hawks featuring All-Stars Al Horford and Joe Johnson at 4 p.m. (ET).

NBA.com will exclusively announce the full 2010-11 regular season schedule on Tuesday, Aug. 10.

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama.  Available in 99.6 million households, the network is home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Men of a Certain Age, with Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula; HawthoRNe, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Dark Blue, starring Dylan McDermott; the upcoming Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Memphis Beat, with Jason Lee; Southland, from Emmy®-winning producer John Wells (ER); and Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter.  TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, CSI: NY and Numb3rs; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  The NCAA men’s basketball tournament will appear on TNT beginning in 2011.  TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

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Turner Sports and The PGA to Offer 3D Coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship Through PGA.com and TNT’s Television Distributors

Turner Sports and The PGA to Offer 3D Coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship Through PGA.com and TNT’s Television Distributors

Vince Cellini to host coverage alongside 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem

Turner Sports and The PGA of America announced today they will offer coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship in 3D on Thursday, Aug. 12 and Friday, Aug. 13, on PGA.com and through TNT’s television distributors Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications, DIRECTV, and Time Warner Cable. The 3D coverage will focus on the par-3 12th and 17th holes at Whistling Straits from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET each day. Host Vince Cellini who will be joined by 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem will provide commentary and analysis on the holes. Beem also will provide analysis throughout the weekend during PGA.com’s extensive 2D online offerings.

The 3D production will utilize eight cameras produced specifically for 3D that will provide a unique look at course action and give fans a one-of-a-kind visual experience to watch the world’s best golfers play the course’s challenging par-3s. In order to experience

the event in 3D, viewers will need a 3D TV or PC display with matching 3D glasses. Fans can visit http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2010/3d to get more information about the hardware and software used to view the 3D production online.

In addition to 3D coverage, Turner Sports will also offer 20 hours of television coverage on TNT, live 2D coverage on PGA.com and on mobile devices, with additional details to be announced at a later date.

“At Turner Sports we continually look to provide the fan with an innovative viewing experience through our ability to test and explore new opportunities,” said Lenny Daniels, Turner Sports EVP and COO. “The PGA Championship has always been a platform for forward thinking and interactive technology. During previous PGA Championship coverage on TNT and PGA.com, we have introduced our marquee follow coverage, live streaming action through mobile apps and included social networking within our linear broadcast. Introducing 3D coverage to this crown jewel event allows us another opportunity to better serve our audience and add to our multitude of platforms.”

“The PGA Championship has perennially been the source of many of the game’s most special moments,” said PGA of America Director of Broadcast & New Media Casey Morton. “The addition of 3D television and online technology unfolding at Whistling Straits, a spectacular venue for viewers, is yet another new level of excitement for fans to follow the world’s premier players. We anticipate that the addition of this bonus for viewers opens another chapter in PGA Championship tradition.”

Each year during the PGA Championship, Turner provides fans with an exclusive and interactive viewing experience combining television, online and mobile.  Through TNT’s four days of coverage, the ability to follow marquee groups live on PGA.com and instant player alerts and notifications on the PGA Championship iPhone app, fans get an all-access pass for all the tournament action.

About PGA.com

PGA.com is the official online destination for The PGA of America and is home to the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, The PGA Grand Slam of Golf and The Ryder Cup. Beginning in 2002, Turner Sports and the PGA formed a multi-year alliance with a mission to serve the golfing public, PGA Professionals and the golf industry with products and services to grow the game of golf.  The two organizations recently expanded the deal through 2019 to include licensing with Turner’s Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) serving as the PGA’s licensing agent in the youth marketplace. As a leader and innovator in broadband golf coverage, PGA.com continues to gain success for its PGA.com LIVE video presentation of PGA’s premier events. In 2007 PGA.com Pipeline LIVE was nominated for an Emmy® by the National Television Academy. In 2009, PGA.com’s on air, online and mobile coverage of the PGA Championship was nominated for an Emmy® by the National Television Academy and was awarded a CommArts Interactive award for the PGA Championship LIVE video and the PGA Championship iPhone app.

About Turner Sports

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.

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CONTACTS

TNT to Feature 20 Hours of Televised Coverage for the 92nd PGA Championship

TNT to Feature 20 Hours of Televised Coverage for the

92nd PGA Championship

PGA.com Will Offer Extensive Complementary Online Coverage August 12-15

Turner Sports will provide extensive coverage of the 92nd PGA Championship from Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis. TNT will air exclusive coverage of the first and second rounds, including seven hours each on Thurs., August 12 and Fri., August 13 from 1 - 8 p.m. (ET). The network will continue with early coverage of the third and fourth rounds on Sat., August 14 and Sun., August 15 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (ET).

TNT’s announce team will feature  two-time Emmy® award-winner Ernie Johnson (play-by-play), Ian Baker-Finch (analyst), Billy Kratzert (analyst) and Jim Huber (interviewer/essayist).

In addition to 20 hours of television coverage, Turner Sports will also offer live coverage on PGA.com, the official site of The PGA of America, and on mobile devices, with additional details to be announced at a later date.

92nd PGA Championship: TNT Programming Schedule

Round Day/Date Time
First Round Thurs., August 12 1 – 8 p.m. (ET)
Second Round Fri., August 13 1 – 8 p.m. (ET)
Third Round Sat., August 14 11 am – 2 p.m. (ET)
Final Round Sun., August 15 11 am – 2 p.m. (ET)

Turner Sports, Inc., a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

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Notes from TNT’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coverage – Saturday, July 10, 2010

Notes from TNT’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coverage – Saturday, July 10, 2010

*****   *****   *****   *****   *****   ******

Countdown to Green

Lindsay Czarniak (host), Kyle Petty (analyst) and Larry McReynolds (analyst)

McReynolds on the challenges of racing at Chicagoland Speedway: “The biggest reason that (the track) wants to play mind-games is that (NASCAR) only comes here once a year.  I don’t think you can look back and say, ‘this team ran well here’ because so much changes from one July to the next.  The set-up changes, the track changes, the cars change and of course, we’re racing for the first time here with the rear spoiler so that’s why we’ve had nine races with seven different winners (at Chicagoland Speedway).”

No. 29 Kevin Harvick joined the TNT pre-race show.

Harvick on his win at Daytona on July 3rd: “It doesn’t hurt to be lucky sometimes.  Last week, we had a good car and we were able to run up front all day and stay ahead of the wrecks.  If you could turn back the clock to a year ago, we would’ve been in all of those wrecks.  Things go in cycles and right now, everything is going well.”

TNT’s Pride of NASCAR featured a tribute to legendary driver Alan Kulwicki.

Former business manager Don Hawk on Kulwick’s mentality: “The guy was absolutely driven.  He was focused and intense.  He knew what he wanted and he absolutely knew when you had your first communication with him, if you were talking nonsense, he wouldn’t talk to you.”

Petty on Alan Kulwicki: “(Kulwicki) didn’t have a big budget but he had a huge heart.  Until the day when I stopped driving race cars, I had an ‘AK 7’ patch on my sleeve in memory of Alan Kulwicki.  We were friends and he was an incredible person and an incredibly focused individual.  He drove (cars) hard and he drove them hard for a purpose…to win championships.  He was a really good driver, a great guy and would still have an impact on the sport today.”

No. 18 Kyle Busch joined the TNT pre-race show live on the set.

Busch on his intensity during races: “You’re here to win.  You’re here to win every single week and that’s the first and foremost thing you want to do.  The second thing after that is…nothing.  You go home and go on to next week.  I’ve been fortunate to be in the position I’m in and to have the people with Joe Gibbs Racing who have worked so hard and given me great race cars this year.”

Busch on if he’s matured over the years: “I feel like I’ve been trying but probably not getting too many high remarks or results.  For me, it’s just to go out there, do what my job is and win the race.”

Busch on his rivalry with his brother No. 2 Kurt Busch: “We had a sibling rivalry and it was tough growing up with him.  I was seven years younger so I was trying to be like him.  But he was always starting everything before I was so I was always trying to get into it and try to be better than he was.”

No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. on not believing in momentum going from race to race: “We just want to keep working hard and it builds our confidence a little bit.  I don’t know if I believe in momentum because there are just too many variables during the race but we feel pretty good and we worked on the car really hard yesterday.  We’ll see what we’ve got.”

*****   *****   *****   *****   *****   ******

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Chicago

Announcers: Adam Alexander (play-by-play), Wally Dallenbach (analyst) and Kyle Petty (analyst); Larry McReynolds (analyst) contributes from the in-field with the TNT Offtrack Robotic Car (TORC) with Lindsay Czarniak (host)

Pit reporters: Marty Snider, Ralph Sheheen, Phil Parsons and Matt Yocum

Petty on drivers racing side-by-side: “The funny thing about racing 50 or so laps into the race is if you end up racing a guy side-by-side for three or four laps, you lose a lot of time.  These guys are smart enough to know that they don’t want to lose time to the leader or let those guys behind them catch up.”

Dallenbach on how every race is different: “One race makes a difference.  You think you’ve got the stuff figured out and then you show up like (No. 29 Kevin) Harvick does this weekend and I know that restricter plate (racing) is a different deal but still, those guys have been running good all year and all of a sudden, they’re out to lunch tonight.”

Dallenbach on how drivers are stepping up with No. 48 Jimmy Johnson falling out of contention: “All of a sudden these guys have a little more step in them.  With the No. 48 (Jimmy Johnson) out of the picture, all of these guys think they have a chance now.  When you see a guy like that have problems, everyone else seems to step up more.”

Dallenbach on No. 16 Greg Biffle: “(Biffle’s) car looks really, really good after they make a pit stop and about halfway through the run.  The last couple of times, they look like they’ve lost some ground towards the end of their run.  If they can make the car better, especially towards the end of the run, I really think they’ll have a good finish tonight.”

Petty on drivers knowing when to run down under another driver: “When you run down under somebody, you don’t want to run lap after lap because you use your stuff up.  (No. 24) Jeff (Gordon) isn’t using his stuff up, he’s just running his line but you use your stuff up trying to get around him.  You have to fall back in line, let your stuff cool off and then come back and try it again.”

Dallenbach on certain race teams focusing on winning races instead of winning the Sprint Cup:  “There are a lot of teams that are saying, ‘Even if we get into the Chase (for the Sprint Cup), we’re not good enough to win the championship’ so they are focusing in on winning races.  I think that’s what they should be doing.”

Petty on No. 99 Carl Edwards: “This might be the best run (No.99) Carl Edwards has had all year long.  They have struggled off and on but this might be their best run.”

Petty on No. 00 David Reutimann’s pit crew rising to the occasion: “I’m going to give Reutimann’s pit crew a huge shout-out because when you get in this position (as leader) for the first time, and this is one of the first times that Reutimann has had a shot at winning a race like this, you have to perform under pressure.  His pit crew hasn’t been in this position any more than Reutimann has.  The whole team is in this position and they have all risen to the occasion.”

No. 99 Carl Edwards on his second place finish: “The biggest positive is that we ran this well.  Our guys have been working hard.  The guys at the shop have kept with it and are working so hard.  We were coming on strong at the end (of the race).  I just needed a couple more laps.  I honestly needed a couple of more points so I could go up there and risk it really hard on the high side but I was really loose.  I ran that last lap hard and fast and I wish I could’ve run all the laps like that but it’s a good points night.”

Dallenbach on the importance of wins to drivers who aren’t in position to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup: “I think it’s really important for these guys because wins matter right now.  It’s not so much about being in the Chase because winning the championship is tough and a lot of these guys aren’t at that level.  The win column is really important and these guys did a really good job tonight.  They earned it.”

Unofficial NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Chicago Results:

1. No. 00 David Reutimann

2.      No. 99 Carl Edwards

3.      No. 24 Jeff Gordon

4.      No. 33 Clint Bowyer

5.      No. 1 Jamie McMurray

6.      No. 9 Kasey Kahne

7.      No. 31 Jeff Burton

8.      No. 11 Denny Hamlin

9.      No. 14 Tony Stewart

10.  No. 98 Paul Menard

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